6 Tips Before You Rent a Boat

Sailing a boat is a great experience, especially when you are sailing with your friends or family. It’s true that not everyone can afford to own a boat to have the sailing experience, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do it. If you want to sail a boat but don’t have the money to buy one, you can use another option and rent one. However, you should know a few things before going this route. This will make sure that you will be on the safe side.

Tip #1 Reserve a Boat Ahead of Time

In summer, the demand for boats is higher than in winter. Therefore, you may find it harder to find a boat that hasn’t been taken. To avoid this situation, we suggest that you make the reservation a few weeks earlier. As soon as you have confirmed your vacation dates, you should have a boat reserved.

Tip #2 Consider Your Needs

As a beginner, renting a fast boat won’t be a good idea for you. But if you have a friend with you who knows how to sail a boat, then you may go ahead and rent a fast one. Another thing to keep in mind is that the selection should be based on what you want to use the boat for. For instance, not all types of vessels would be suitable for fishing. For recommendations, you can get in touch with the boat reservationist.

Tip #3 Rent a Well-maintained Boat

The boat you are going to rent must be in good condition. In other words, make sure the boat doesn’t have any defects. But the question is how can you know if the boat is in good working condition? Well, you should take a look at the rental office or building. If the building is well maintained, the boats will also be in good condition and vice versa. Remember: sailing a damaged or defective boat may put your life at risk. So, you should never compromise on this factor.

Tip #4 Use Charts and Maps

The boat you are going to rent should have the latest charts. They will make it easier for you to know the directions to wherever you want to go. Since waterways change from time to time, having the latest maps is highly recommended.

Tip #5 Safety Is of Paramount Importance

The most important thing in our lives is safety. So, make sure that the boat has all the required safety equipment. Also, the law doesn’t allow you to use a boat if it doesn’t meet any safety requirement.

Tip #6 Communication is Important

The boat you are going to rent must have a working on-board radio. In case something goes wrong during sailing, you can use the onboard radio or your cell phone to call for help. Also, don’t forget to save the important numbers in your phone before you board the boat.

So, these are some boat renting tips that you should note down and take into account before renting a good boat.